Can you imagine how grueling this must be? Shelly has been preparing by swimming, riding and running three days a week, with strength-training five days a week and daily physical therapy exercises. I'd say she's ready to slay it!

Although it may seem strange to some people for an athlete to travel so far for a competition, Hammons said, “It’s the World Championship for the 70.3 distance; you go where it is.”

To qualify for participation or receive an invitation to compete in the World Championship, Hammons said an athlete must either qualify in another Ironman 70.3 race or have one of the fastest times in the world.

Shelly Hammons via Facebook

The entire family is into fitness and competition. Hammons added, “My husband and I always say, ‘The only thing that really matters during any given race is to do your best with what the day gives you and have fun.’”

As the coordinator of federal programs, Hammons oversees Title I, Title II and Migrant education, and works with the implementation of Next Generation Science Standards for the DCPS district.